Ball-covering machine



Oct. 27, 1942. A. c. BOWERS 2,300,096

BALL COVERING MACHINE Filed NOV. 13, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l v 1 I8 1 3a F1 I Z4 /7 72 Oct. 27, 1942. I Q bwE s 2,300,096

BALL COVERING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR mwmw 1 6% M MW W Oct. 27, 1942.

A. c. BOWERS 2,300,096

BALL COVERING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR @Wflfdzu a Ml WM Och 7, A. c. BOWERS 2,300,096

BALL COVERING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 27, 1942 Archibald O. Bowers, Greensbnrg, Pa., casino: to Pennsylania Rubber Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November'13, 1939, Serial No. 304,071 8 Claims. (01. 154-10) 7 body of air (with which other gas may be mingled) under a pressure somewhat exceeding at- This invention relates to machinery for covering playing balls. It iinds practical application in the covering of tennis balls. The tennis ball of today is a highly refined product, and in form, dimensions, and structure is minutely standardized. The object of this invention is a machine adapted to produce such articles with great accuracy and with great rapidity. Y a

In the accompanying drawings Fig. I is a view in perspective of the machine of the invention; Fig. 11 is a view in plan of one of the two duplicate blanks of material that, applied to the ball, together constitute the cover; Fig. III is a iragmentary view in perspective, showing a portion of the machine and illustrating a particular coordination of parts; Fig. IV is a fragmentary view in vertical section, illustrating another particular coordination; Fig. V ail'ords further illustration of the parts shown in Fig. IV, after they have advanced to an ensuing position in their coordinated operation; Fig. VI is' a view in perspective of a covered ball, as it comes from the machine; Figs. VII and VIII are views in elevation of the machine when closed and as viewed, severally, from the side (approximately the view of Fig.1) and from the rear (to the right, Fig. I). In Figs. VII and VIII certain details are shown in section. Fig. Ix is a fragmentary view in section, on the plane indicated by the line IX--IX, Fig. VII; Fig. X is a view in axial section of a certain cylinder that is included in the structure of the machine; and Fig. Xi is a view in axial section of an electromagnetic motor that may be used in lieu of the pneumatic otors for the operation of the machine.

In an application for Letters Patent filed by me January 25, 1939, Serial No. 252,775, I have described apparatus for covering balls that includes two press members, each member consist ing of two blocks of spherical concavity hinged together, the two press members adapted to be brought to cooperative positions. In the speci- 1 fication of that earlier application I have said that suitable means would be provided for carrying the press members and for effecting their cooperation. Such carrying and operating means constitute the present invention. The present invention further involves certain refinements in the structure of the press members themselves and contemplates the provision of additional cooperating parts, all as will hereinafter particular- Lv ppear.

The tennis ball of shell of vulcanized or "felt cloth,"

mospheric, and a cover or woolen iabric, of character and quality known in industry as "felt" cemented upon its outer surface. The felt cloth is woven in a plane; that is to say, in sheet-like web. For the covering 0! a ball two identical blanks are cut from the web of. cloth, and these are shaped and applied to the ball. When applied they meet edge to edge, to form a continuous cover. The two identical blanks are of .Cassinian outline, with symmetrical, approximately semi-circular ends, connected by a narrower reversely curved waist. If, as is usual, the cloth be woven, the blank is cut on the bias, so that the threads of warp and oi woof extend obliquely to the major axis oi the blank. Such a blank is illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings, and in this .ngure the warp and the woof are diagrammatically indicated by dotted lines.

Two such blanks are applied to the ball, each with its major axis on a great circle of the sphere of the ball, the two great circ.es lying in planes perpend cular to one another, and each blank dicclar to the major axis at a point mid-way in the length ofthe ma or axis) of the other.

As shown in the drawings, the two press members A and B of the machine of the invention are duplicates, in that each consists of two blocks I and 2 (la, 2a), hinged together, and capable of swinging between the open positions of Fig. I and the closed positions of Fig. V. The two blocks of each pair are formed with faces ll, l2 of spherical concavity, the spherical curvature being that of the covered ball; the peripheral outline of each concave face is exactly that of a cover part (Fig. II) when shaped and compressed upon the ball; the line or division of the two halves of each press member is that of the minor axis (defined above) of the Cassinian outline of the cover part. The blocks I and 2 may be brass castings; their spherical concavities are accurately machined, finished, chromium plated, and highly polished.

Referring to Fig. I, and considering particularly the press part A, the two blocks consist of by the propivotall upon a suitable fixed standard I. The axis or this pivotal mounting extends in that equatorial plane (of an engaged ball) in which (when the press member, carrying a cover part, is closed upon a ball) the minor axis of the so carried cover art lies, and it is substantially tangent to the covered ball within the closed press.

The press part B is similarly formed. but its blocks in, 2a are pivotally mounted, not immediately upon a fixed standard, but upon an arm- I. The arm I in turn is pivotally mounted upon the fixed standards 8, 9.

Centrally beneath the press part A a pneumatic cylinder in is set, and to the stem III] of the piston of this cylinder the beams 8 and 4 are by the toggle connections I3 and I4 united. By the shifting of the piston within this cylinder the blocks l and 2 are swung in simultaneity between the open position (Figs. I and III) and the closed position (Fig. V). Similarly, a pneumatic cylinder l5, borne by the arm 1, effects the swinging of the blocks I a and 2a between open and closed positions.

The arm 1 extends from a sleeve l5 that is retatable on an elongate ported bearing I secured upon a shaft ll (Fig. IX). Shaft l1 rests upon and is secure against rotation in standards 8 and 9 (Fig. VIII). It includes passages lla severally communicating with the circumferential ports or grooves ill) in the bearing l1, and outlets H0 in sleeve l6 serve to establish communication between the passages Ila and flexible tubes "(1, that the cylinder [5 (and other pneumatic parts presently to be described) carried by the arm '5. may be connected to the pneumatic system by which the machine is operated. A pinion i8 is integrated with sleeve l6, and a rack I9 is in mesh with the pinion. The rack is borne bya frame that is mounted for reciprocation on standard 9, so that as the frame is reciprocated the sleeve in the bed of the machine, and to the stem 22 of the piston within cylinder 2| the frame 20 is 4 secured. Reciprocation of the piston within cylinder 2| effects rotation of sleeve IS. A segmental collar 23, here shown to be of 180 extent, is borne integrally by sleeve I6; and a stop 24 rigid- 1y borne by a stationary part of the structure, but adjustable in position, limits the range of turning of the sleeve IS in one direction (counterclockwise, Fig. VII) A stop 25 is movable, when the sleeve l6 has advanced counter-clockwise to the limit fixed by stop 24, to the position shown in Fig. VII, and in that position stop 25 holds the sleeve against retrograde turning. A full stroke of the piston within cylinder 2| efiects rotation of the sleeve l6 through substantially 180; and, as has been said, stop 24 cooperating with collar 23 arrests turning in one direction at an accurately defined point, and in such accurately defined position the sleeve and the parts borne by it are by stop 25 secured.

Movement of the stop 25 is effected by constituting it the tip of a lever 26, normally held by a spring 21 to operative position, and swung by the piston within a pneumatic cylinder 28 to sleevereleasing position.

The cylinder 2| and the piston 40 within it are adapted to afiord in large measure a cushioning of the piston as it approaches ,the ends of its stroke. See Fig. X. The cylinder chamber at its ends is reduced in diameter, to form extensions 4|, and the piston is provided with correspending extensions 42, that as the piston advances fit snugly within the extensions of the chamber. The higher degree of compression thus attained ,of the entrapped air as the piston approaches the limit of its stroke affords enhanced cushioning effect.

A coiled spring 29 (Fig. VIII) is effective, to absorb momentum as the piston 40 within cylinder 2| approaches either limit of its stroke; and thus the spring serves not merely as an additional cushioning device, but as a motor element, aiding in the overcoming of inertia when, after completion of a stroke in one direction, the piston 0 begins its reverse stroke. The structure in this particular is shown in Fig. VIII. The standard 8 carries a sleeve-like casing 30. The casing at one end is provided with a head in which is anchored to the shaft. As the sleeve l6, rotating,

in either direction, approaches the limit of its range, the momentum of the moving parts is in part absorbed either in contracting or in expanding the coil of spring 29; and when thereafter the piston in cylinder 2| begins its reverse stroke the energy so stored in the spring is effective to aid in overcoming the inertia of the parts to the reversal.

In my prior application, Serial No. 252,775 I have shown the blocks that carry the cover parts and apply them to the ball to be equipped around the peripheriesof their concavities with thin, discontinuous rims. These rims serve to confine the applied cover blanks accurately in position. In the improved machine of this application these discontinuous rims are retained, but they aredifferently organized and they are made subject to further refinements of machine operation.

Each of the blocks l, 2 and la, 2a carries a stem 34 (cf. Fig. IV), and the stem is made the stem of a piston 35 within a pneumatic cylinder 35. The stem extends radially outward with respect to the sphere of the ball within the closed press (of. Fig. V), and the centre of the small circle to which the rim of the concavity of the block in part conforms lies in that radial line: that is to say, the stem extends from the centre of the block radially outward. The cylinder is mounted on a block 31 that is so connected with the block 2a (and so also of blocks I, 2, la) as to permit of its reciprocation upon block 2a in the direction of the radial line in which the stem 34 extends. Pneumatic pressure is applied, sothat in the sequence of machine operation the block 31 is reciprocated upon block 2a through a small but suflicient range. The rims of the blocks I, 2, la, 2a are of radial extent; that is to say. the surfaces of the rims are surfaces defined by a radius moving along the line of the seam of meeting of the two parts of the cover of the ball. The block 31 is equipped with a plurality of spaced-apart fingers, in the form of thin leaf springs 38, that extend from block 31 and overlie the rim of block 2a. By the reciprocation of the block 31 the-tips of these fingers may be extended beyond the rim of the block, as shown in Fig. IV, or retracted from such position of extension, as shown in'Fig.

V. The pneumatic control of the cylinders is so related that, while the press members A and B remain open, the fingers 38 are extended; and in such extended position they serve to define the position of the cover blanks, and to aid in the placement of the cover blanks in the open press members. When, however, the press members close upon the ball, applying to it the cover parts, the fingers are retracted, and the two cover blanks upon the ball come to abutment, meeting edge to edge, throughout all the extent of their peripheries.

In my earlier application I have asserted the desirability of closing the hinged-together blocks 1, 2 and la, 2a of the two press members simultaneously upon the ball. In the machine as I have made refinement of structure I have pro-- vided means for sustaining the ball accurately in position until the blocksof the press members are in position to close upon it. The ball-sustaining means alluded to are withdrawn when press member B completes its orbital swing; the blocks la. 2a of press member B continue in the open position (see Fig. IV) until the press member hascompleted its swing. Thereupon the blocks of both press members close (Fig. V).

The means for sustaining the ball in accurate position until the press members are about to close consist in four fingers 42; cf. Figs. I and III. These fingers support upon their tips the uncovered ball (indicated in Fig. III by a broken- 2,soo,ooe

44 operate and retract'thefingers 43 from the engaged ball; the pistons in cylinders I and i5 operate and close theblocks of press members A and B; and the cylinders 36 operate and retract fingers 38 from overlapping positions upon the rims of the blanks C within press members.

It will be understood that when the press mem-' bers A and B close upon the ball, there is, a small but adequate clearance between the peripheral edges of the press'blocks, toadmit of movement of the fingers 38 from extended positions (in which they engage at their tips the edges of the cover parts C, Fig. III) to retracted positions (in which the tips of the fingers lie between the edges of the blocks, Fig. V). This clearance between the edges of the press blocks in no way interferes wtih the desired edge-to-edge assembly of the cover parts upon the ball. The material of which the cover parts are formed, and the plastic cement that has been applied to such cover parts, yield under the pressure of the closing press blocks, with the consequence and efiect that the edges of the cover parts (tending upon retraction of the fingers 38 to spread laterally) are brought to abutment in seems that are con-.

I tinuous throughout all their extent.

' two cover parts to the ball, to hold them closed line circle). The fingers extend radially with.-

respect to the sphere of the ball that they support. They are borne in pairs by the pistons of two pneumatic cylinders 44; and are by the operation of the pistons within such cylinders movable between the advanced position, shown in Fig. III, and the retracted position, shown in Fig. V. The fingers of the two pairs are arranged on opposite sides of the pair of pivoted blocks I, 2, and their spacing is such that in their advanced position the ball is firmly supported.

In Fig. III the broken-line circle indicates the position of an uncovered ball sustained on fingers l2; and in this figure, in full lines, is shown a portion of a cover blank C in place in the open press member.

' ered ball I) (Fig. VI) then remains, resting in them within the press members, the fingers 38 projecting beyond the edges of the concavities ,serve to define accurately the position of the blank. A ball to be covered is then placed upon the cooperating tips of the extended fingers 43. The machine then is set in motion. The piston ll within cylinder 2! makes its traverse, and in so doing it eiIects the orbital swing of press member B from the position shown in Fig. I, through the position shown in Fig. IV, to the position shown in Figs. V, VII, and VIII. The press member 13, having been moved counter-clockwise,

(Figs. I, IV and V) into position of cooperation,

is by step 24 arrested, and it is locked in that position by the swinging of stop 25 in response to the tension of spring 21, pneumatic pressure within cylinder 28 having at the appropriate moment been relieved.

when press member B has been thus locked in position of cooperation, the pistons in cylinders I have found it advantageous, after the blocks I, 2 and la, 2a have closed,applying both of the for a brief interval, of a second or two, and then, by. manipulation of the pneumatic cylinders l0 and [5, to open and close the blocks in simultaneity a number of times, holding them closed each time for a brief interval. "Then at length, opening them for a last time, to operate cylinders 28 and 2|, swing stop 25 to releasing position, rotate sleeve l6, and bring press member 3 again to the initial position shown in Fig. I. The covthe opened press member A. I V

In the drawings I have shown pneumatic connections, and in the specification I have indicated the organization of pneumatic cylinders .with the'moving parts and their cordination for effecting particular ends. -My invention is fully described, and the details of control, to eiIect properly timed and sequent operation of the parts, are matters of engineering. a

In describingthe machine I have characterized the operating cylinders as pneumatic cylinders.

( Compressed air will ordinarily be found to be the most suitable driving fluid, but manifestly other fluids, gaseous and liquid, maybe made serviceable; and I mean to include in the field and contemplation of my invention hydraulic as well.

as pneumatic drive. Additionally, it will be understood that electromagnetic plungers may be used as the means for effecting the operation of the machine, and in Fig. XI I have illustrated a typical organization. The operating stem iSa of the press (B) carried by arm I may be integral with the reciprocating armature lib of a solenoid lie, and by the proper electric-energizing of such solenoid the armature may be powerfully reciprocated in alternate directions, carrying the stem lia through its working strokes. The structure may include vented airpockets I 541 at the two ends of the solenoid,adapted to cooperate with portions l5c at the two ends of the armature in cushioning the movements of the parts.

Referring particularly to Fig. I of the drawings,

it will be observed of the organized press members that when in open position, ready to receive the two blanks that together form the cover, they are in positions of horizontal extension; that is to say, they have been spread apart laterally and they are open to access from above. In such positions the attendant may readily apply to the open press members the cover blanks. From such positions of horizontal extension open to access from above, the blocks by relative movement are brought to the co-operative positions of Figs. V and VII in which they are closed upon the ball, having brought the cover blanks that they carry to assembly with the ball.

I claim as my invention:

1. A press member for applying a fabric cover to a ball consisting of two pivoted-together blocks adapted to swing between open and closed positions, each block provided with a concave iace shaped to the sphere of the finished ball, and the concave faces of the two blocks when swung to closed position extending in a continuous spherical surface, and having together an outline corresponding to that of a cover blank of Cassinian outline when shaped to the sphere of the ball, the axis of pivoting extending, when the blocks are in closed position, substantially in tangency to the covered bail and in common plane with the minor axis of the contained blank, and blank-positioning fingers extensible and retractible upon the rims of the blocks.

2. A press member for applying a fabric cover to a ball consisting of two'pivoted-together blocks adapted to swing between open and closed positions, each block provided with a concave face shaped to the sphere of the finished ball, and the concave faces of the two blocks when swung to closed position extending in a continuous spherical surface, and having together an outline corresponding to that of a cover blank of Cassinian outline when shaped to the sphere of the ball, the

axis of pivoting extending, when the blocks are in closed position, substantially in tangency to the covered ball and in common plane with the minor axis of the contained blank, and a second block reciprocably borne by each of the said pivoted-together blocks, such second block being equipped with fingers overlying the edges of the pivoted together blocks and extensible and re- 5 tractible as the second blocks reciprocate upon the blocks by which they are borne.

3. In apparatus for covering balls the combination of a standard, a pair of concave-faced blocks pivotally mounted upon the standard, an arm pivotally mounted on the standard, a second pair of concave-faced blocks pivotally mounted in. the said arm and in the range of the swinging of said arm moving in orbital course to and from cooperative position with respect to the pair of blocks first named, fluid-pressure means borne by the standard for pivotally swinging the blocks of the first-named pair, fluid-pressure means borne by the standard for swinging said arm, and fluidpressuremeans borne by the arm for pivotally swinging the blocks of the second-named pair.

4. The structure of claim 3, the said arm being pivotally mounted tan a shaft including a plurality of passages, conduits for fiuid leading severally to the passages within the said shaft, the means borne by the arm for swinging the blocks being a fluid-operated cylinder. and fluid connection being provided between the passages in said shaft and the said fluid-operated cylinder.

5.'In a machine for applying to a ball a plurality of complementary cover parts, which machine includes a plurality of press members relatively movable between open and closed positions, in open position adapted severally to receive the cover parts, and in closed position to apply the cover parts to a ball; the refinement herein described that consists in means borne by the press rality of complementary cover parts, which machine includes a plurality of press members relatively movable between open and closed positions, in open position adapted severally to receive the cover parts, and in closed position to apply the cover parts to a ball; the refinement herein described that consists in a plurality of fingers arranged with each press member and adapted marginally to engage the cover part introduced to the press member, and means for retracting the fingers from such cover-part-engaging position when the press members move into cover-apply ing position.

7. A press member for applying a cover to a. ball, said press member including two body members, one borne by the other and movable in rightline reciprocation upon the member that bears it, one member adapted to receive a cover part, and the other equipped with means adapted to engage peripherally a cover part positioned in the first member, and means for shifting the two members relatively to one another to retract said means from engagement with a positioned cover part.

8. In apparatus for applying to a ball two complementary cover parts, the combination of two press members each consisting of a plurality oi. pivoted-together parts adaptedto open and close and adapted, when in open position, to receive a cover part and in closing to apply the received cover part upon a ball, means for closing the press members upon a ball, ball-supporting means consisting in a plurality of fingers extending radially with respect to a supported ball and adapted to sustain a ball in position for closure of the coverbearing press members upon it, and means for retracting the fingers of the ball-supporting means on the lines of their radial extent in co- 60 upon theball.

ARCHIBALD C. BOWERS. 

